Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar dismisses reports of his getting close to BJP

Bengaluru: Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on Wednesday termed as rumours the reports suggesting that he is getting close to the BJP, saying that there are no such developments.

However, when asked about the Maha Kumbh Mela, Shivakumar, who is also the state Congress chief, deviated from his party’s stand to praise the BJP government for handling such a huge event.

Addressing a press conference at his residence here, Shivakumar stated: “I am making it very clear. I could see in media and social media, some of my friends are calling after seeing reports that Shivakumar is getting closer to the BJP. By birth, I am a Congressman, my stand is I am a Hindu, and I believe in every culture of society. Besides my personal belief, the Congress ideology is to take everyone together.”

“People are planting stories. Sadhguru of the Isha Foundation came to my residence and invited me to Shivratri. He is from Mysuru and I admire him for his knowledge. The social media is analysing that I am getting close to the BJP. I have not met Union Home Minister Amit Shah yet,” he added.

Shivakumar and Amit Shah are slated to attend the Mahashivratri festival at the Isha Foundation in Coimbatore along with scores of national and state ministers.

“This is what Mahatma Gandhi, (Pandit Jawaharlal) Nehru, and Indira Gandhi did. I have seen Sonia Gandhi conducting the Ugadi festival. I once went there to meet her 25 years back. In Kashmir and Karnataka, on the same day, the Ugadi festival is celebrated. She (Sonia Gandhi) is more of a Hindu, and has adopted Indian culture than all of us. We are led by such a family,” Shivakumar stated.

Asked about Congress President Mallikarjuna Kharge’s statement on the Maha Kumbh Mela, Shivakumar stated that Mallikarjuna, the first name of the party chief itself means Lord Shiva.

“I am a Hindu. I am born as a Hindu and I will die as a Hindu. But, I love and respect all religions. When I was in jail, I learnt about Sikhism. I got taught inside the prison about Sikhism,” he said. (IANS)

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